On February 17, 1883, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to incorporate the Yadkin Mineral Spring Academy in Stanly County.
Five (5) trustees were named in the Act. This Act was amended
on February 27, 1899; see below.

On March 6, 1885, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to incorporate Bilesville Academy in Stanly County. Seven (7)
trustees were named in the Act.

Pfeiffer University was established in 1885 as Oberlin Home
and School at Lick Mountain, near Hudson in southeastern Caldwell
County. It was founded by Emily C. Prudden, a Connecticut transplant
who spent almost fifty years setting up schools in North Carolinas
western piedmont region and mountains. With each of her schools,
Prudden would oversee initial operation and then transfer the
school and property to a church mission society. In 1903, Prudden
deeded Oberlin to the Womens Home Missionary Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, which renamed it the Ebenezer
Mitchell Home and School. A fire in 1908 led to the temporary
relocation to facilities in the town of Lenoir and finally, in
1910, to its present location in Misenhiemer in Stanly County,
North Carolina.

A junior college curriculum was added in 1928 and Mitchell
Junior College was accredited by the state six years later. Improvements
in county schools allowed Mitchell Junior College to strengthen
its collegiate-level courses. In 1935, the school was renamed
in honor of benefactors Henry and Annie Merner Pfeiffer of New
York. The couple donated funds for the construction of four brick
buildings and a presidents home. Expanding both physically
and academically, Pfeiffer was became a four-year college in
1960. A final change in academic structure garnered the school
university status in 1996. Now with satellite campuses in Charlotte
and Durham, Pfeiffer University is an apt tribute to Emily C.
Pruddens nineteenth century educational work.

The above write-up (with edits) was provided by the North
Carolina Highway Marker program. Click
Here to read and to view their sources.

On March 11, 1889, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to incorporate the Albemarle Academy in the town of Albemarle
in Stanly County. The founder, H.W. Spinkle, is the only person
named in this Act.

On February 18, 1891, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to incorporate Stanly Hall Industrial School for White Boys in
the village of Locust Level in Stanly County. Three (3) teachers
/ incorporators were named in the Act.

On February 9, 1893, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to incorporate Carr Academy in the town of Norwood in Stanly
County. Twenty-six (26) trustees were named in the Act.

On March 8, 1895, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to prevent the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors within
two (2) miles of Davis' School House and Bethel Baptist Church,
both in Stanly County.

On March 8, 1897, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to charter Gladstone Academy in the town of Gladstone in Stanly
County. Seven (7) trustees were named in the Act.

On February 27, 1899, the North Carolina General
Assembly passed an Act
to authorize the qualified voters in the town of Albemarle in
Stanly County to decide whether to levy a special tax to fund
a graded school in the town of Albemarle. Also to vote on the
issuance of bonds up to $5,000. Nine (9) temporary school commissioners
were named in the Act.

Also on February 27, 1899, the North Carolina
General Assembly passed an Act
to amend the earlier Act of February 17, 1883 (above) concerning
the Yadkin Mineral Spring Academy in Stanly County. The academy
may now grant certificates of proficiency.